Wave vs. the alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Available in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | Very small businesses that want free accounting | Free plan | US, Canada |
| Booke AI | Bookkeepers who want AI to clean up the books | Free trial | Global |
| Dext | Accountants and businesses drowning in receipts | Free trial | Global |
| Digits | Founders who want AI-driven, real-time books | Paid | US |
| FreshBooks | Service businesses and freelancers who bill for time | Free trial | Global |
| Pennylane | Small businesses in France and Europe | Paid | EU |
| Pilot | Startups that want bookkeeping done for them | Paid | US |
| Puzzle | Startups that want automated accounting | Free plan | US |
| QuickBooks Online | Small businesses that want the most widely used option | Free trial | Global |
| Sage Accounting | Small businesses in the UK and Europe | Free trial | Global |
| Xero | Growing businesses that work closely with an accountant | Free trial | Global |
| Zoho Books | Businesses already using Zoho apps | Free plan | Global |
How to choose
- Bank feeds for the banks you actually use, in your country.
- Support for your local tax rules (VAT, GST or sales tax) and the reports your accountant needs.
- Receipt capture that reads amounts and dates for you.
- A way to export everything if you ever switch.
Head-to-head
Heads-up: some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Tools are listed alphabetically; paid placements are always labelled "Featured". How we make money.